Cards of Compassion: Nova Scotia woman designs greeting cards for those with depression

WATCH ABOVE: A Nova Scotia woman has launched a line of compassion cards for people living with depression or mental health issues. As Global’s Rebecca Lau reports, it was inspired by her own experiences.

“We definitely shouldn’t just be giving cards or letting people know that we’re thinking about them only during the happy times. It should also be during the hard times as well,” said Anita Bezanson, the founder of Rhubarb Paper Co.

Bezanson was inspired to make the cards after her own experiences with depression, which included a suicide attempt at the age of 14 and post-partum depression after the birth of her first son.

Bezanson is also working to partner with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and plans to donate five per cent from the proceeds of these cards to mental health initiatives.

The CMHA’s Halifax-Dartmouth branch office on Gottingen Street has a storefront where they sell artwork in support of their programs, and the association has invited Bezanson to sell her cards there as well.

The branch’s co-manager, Margaret Murray, says the cards will help people find the right words when reaching out to loved ones living with mental illness or mental health problems.

“They’re very heartfelt,” said Murray.

“I can tell Anita is coming from her own lived experience, which I think makes them very genuine so I think it’s an excellent idea.”